26 December,2025 01:34 PM IST | Chitradurga | mid-day online correspondent
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The death toll in the bus tragedy in Karnataka's Chitradurga mounted to seven after the ill-fated bus driver succumbed to injuries in the wee hours on Friday.
As reported by news agency IANS, at least six people were burnt alive, and 21 others suffered burns after a sleeper coach bus caught fire following a collision with a container truck in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka on Thursday.
Mohammad Rafeeq (42) was driving the bus when the unfortunate accident took place. He was a resident of Shiggaon in Haveri district. Soon after the collision, he was admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi city, where he succumbed to injuries.
News agency IANS reported that he was thrown out of the bus along with the assistant following the collision.
Police, while addressing the incident, stated, "Mohammad Rafeeq underwent surgery on Thursday night but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Friday," as per IANS.
The bus driver, Mohammad Rafeeq, while recalling the unfortunate incident, said that all he remembers is a speeding truck suddenly crashing into his bus.
While briefing about the incident, Rafeeq said, "I was driving at a speed of around 60 to 70 kmph. All I remember is a container truck coming and hitting my vehicle. I tried to control the bus, but it was not possible. Even as I attempted to steer the vehicle aside, another bus was moving in the adjacent lane. I don't know what happened after that. I don't remember how I got out," as per IANS.
While Rafeeq had already lost his life, the condition of another passenger, Manjunath, was serious. He has suffered 30 per cent burns and is currently undergoing treatment in the burns ward ICU of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, authorities stated that the charred bodies of five passengers would be handed over to their families after the DNA test results are received.
The police officials said, "Bone samples have been sent for forensic testing, and the results are expected within a day or two," as per IANS.
While the police have already completed the identification of the deceased, further proceedings will be done as per the protocol.
The victim has been identified as 26-year-old A.M. Navya, a software professional working at a private company in Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru. She hailed from Ekalenahalli near Channarayapattana in Hassan district.
Another victim was a 27-year-old Manasa, a resident of Teggenahalli Layout in Channarayapattana in Hassan district. She was also a software professional working at HCL in Manyata Tech Park.
A twenty-two-year-old IT professional named Rashmi Ratnakara Mahale was also one of the victims who hailed from Shirali village near Bhatkal town in Karwar district.
The other deceased include 29-year-old Bindu and her five-year-old daughter, Greya, residents of the Girinagar locality in Bengaluru.
Five bodies were recovered from the bus, which was gutted. Another body has been retrieved from the container truck. The authorities had recovered a total of six bodies. Moreover, a total of 32 people, including the driver and conductor, were travelling in the bus.
Inspector General of Police (East) B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda said, "The private sleeper coach bus was hit by the container truck coming from the opposite direction, which crossed the divider and hit the bus with full force," as per IANS.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
An investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and to take necessary action, he said.
(With inputs from IANS)
